Fighting Against Too-Skinny Jeans

By Connect Mason Assistant Convergence Director Grace Kendall

It is far too common for college students to toss around comments like, “I’m so fat” and “I hate the way I look.” These negatives attitudes are dangerous and sometimes develop into harmful behaviors such as eating disorders. Because of this trend, George Mason University will be celebrating Positive Body Image Awareness Week to help remind students that there are other constructive actions that can be taken to remain healthy and happy.

Focusing both on body image and eating disorders, Positive Body Image Awareness Week reaches out to students and encourages positive thinking about personal appearance and health.

“There is a problem on campuses nationwide of eating disorders and people feeling bad about their bodies,” said Joan Mizrahi, a psychologist with the Counseling Center. “It’s a problem not just in college campuses, but in women of all ages and it’s growing in men, as well.”

Mizrahi is co-chair of the Eating Disorder and Body Image Concerns Task Force, along with Danielle Lapierre from Health Education Services. The task force is comprised of many on-campus groups who have worked to organize the events and bring attention to body image awareness.

The week will kick off with Merle Goldberg’s presentation, “Eating Disorders: What’s it All About? Following Carly’s Journey to Recovery.”

Goldberg is a psychotherapist and an eating disorder consultant who has co-written several books about handling weight and body image, including My Thin Excuse: Understanding, Recognizing and Treating Eating Disorders. She has given lectures internationally and runs a private practice in Silver Spring, Md.

Her lecture will take place in the Johnson Center Cinema this evening, with a book signing at 7:15 p.m. and the presentation beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Interactive kiosks will be open for students in Ciao Hall today and Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m., and in the Johnson Center from today to the 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They will have informative flyers about body image and eating disorders, as well as information about where to go for help and how to assist friends with eating disorders.

The kiosks will also allow individuals to decorate cut-outs of jeans with positive messages and to shred magazine images that promote an unhealthy self-image.

A blue jeans collection will also be taking place in coordination with the National Eating Disorders Association’s theme of “Be Comfortable in Your Genes.”

“We want to collect skinny jeans that are stashed in closets, instead of trying to diet into them,” Mizrahi said. The jeans will be collected at the kiosks during the week and then donated to local shelters. There are also collection boxes in the resident halls on campus.

There will also be a collection of books on body image and eating disorders on display in the campus bookstore.

“There was a big turnout last year,” said Mizrahi, who hopes for another large response to this year’s planned events. “I hope it’s really inspiring and informative.”

Mizrahi is eager to assist students with finding the help they need to feel good about themselves again. There are always options for students to receive help with the challenges they are facing.

“I encourage those with concerns to call us,” Mizrahi said. “There is help; people do get better.”

For more information on the events of Positive Body Image Awareness Week or about eating disorders, contact the GMU Counseling and Psychological Services office at 703-993-2380 or visit them online at caps.gmu.edu.